Description

The 9th International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Wetlands will be held March 20-23, 2005 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the Lod & Carole Cook Conference Center & Hotel and the School of the Coast and Environment building located on the beautiful Louisiana State University campus.

The objective of this international symposium is to provide a framework for scientists to discuss new topics related to biogeochemistry of nutrients and other contaminants in freshwater and coastal wetlands.

The focus of the symposium will be on new approaches and techniques that link community structure at the micro, and macro, scales to better understand the mechanisms that control the fate of chemicals at the global scale.
We will also discuss how the 'systems ecology' of biogeochemistry explains patterns in community structure and ecosystem function of wetland landscapes. This provides important tools in environmental assessment and restoration science.

PROGRAM TOPICS
· Wetland community types and functions and values (Freshwater and Coastal wetlands)
· Coupled biogeochemical cycles in wetlands
· Molecular tools to evaluate biogeochemical processes
· Linkages between biogeochemical processes and biotic communities
· Role of wetlands in improving water quality
· Long-term nutrient and organic matter accretion in wetlands
And many more!

Participants interested in or actively involved in wetland management, water quality, restoration, and constructed wetlands should make plans to attend, including Biologists, City and County Government Officials and Decision-Makers, Consultants, Developers, Ecologists, Educators, Environmental Consultants, Environmental Engineers, Environmental Regulators, Environmental Scientists, Foresters, Geotechnical Engineers, Land Use Planners, Plant Scientists, Soil Scientists, Soil Surveyors, Water Scientists and Wetland Delineators.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Scientists and managers involved in research of biogeochemical processes occurring in freshwater and estuarine wetlands are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts describing their work. All abstracts, both oral and poster, will be published in the symposium book of abstracts. Researchers not wishing to make oral presentations are strongly encouraged to prepare posters and submit an abstract. Abstracts must be submitted electronically via the online submission form. Detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to prepare, format and submit your abstract are posted under the CALL FOR ABSTRACTS section of the web site. It is important that you follow these directions carefully, so please be sure to read the abstract submission guidelines thoroughly, and email me if you have any questions. Abstract Submission deadline is Wednesday, January 12, 2005.
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/wetlands/index.html#abstracts

DEDICATION TO WILLIAM H. PATRICK, Jr.

WILLIAM HARDY PATRICK, JR., was the Emeritus Boyd Professor, Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute and Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University. His major research interests were biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur in wetlands and redox chemistry processes in wetlands, as related to ecosystem functions, greenhouse gases, climate change, and water quality. A special plenary session on Monday will be dedicated in his honor; followed by a reception and dedication at the new Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute in the School of the Coast and Environment.

HELP ORGANIZE A SESSION
Special sessions are requested on use of new Tools, Techniques and Assessments of Biogeochemical Processes. Contact Robert Twilley at rtwilley@lsu.edu if you are interested in organizing a session.

 Organize a session on Biocomplexity of Biogeochemical Processes

 Organize a session on some techniques that link
biological organization with plot, landscape, and
global fluxes of biogeochemical elements

 Organize a session on some new assessment that
links biogeochemical processes and functions as
part of comprehensive ecosystem restoration and
management

 Organize a session on new estimates of ecosystem
and global chemical fluxes that integrate temporal
and spatial scales with interactions among elements.

Venue

Additional Information

What Does the Symposium Attendee Registration Fee Include? The symposium registration fee allows each registrant to receive one copy of the printed abstract book to be distributed at the symposium and registration materials including a canvas tote bag. The registration fee also includes ALL meals - attendance at the Sunday Welcome Reception, the Monday Poster Session and Reception, and the Tuesday evening Symposium Dinner Banquet. Box lunches will be provided on Monday and Tuesday and daily morning, mid-day and afternoon refreshments will also be provided. If staying at the Cook Conference Center and Hotel, a complimentary breakfast is provided each morning. A reduced fee is available for students. A photocopy of a valid student ID must accompany student registration forms.
Early Registration (Register and Pay by February 1, 2005)
Symposium Attendee Fee US $280.00
Student Attendee Fee US $175.00
Regular/On-site Registration (Register and Pay after February 1, 2005)
Symposium Attendee Fee US $350.00
Student Attendee Fee US $250.00
One Day Attendee Fee US $125.00 (This includes participation to all activities during the one day of attendance, one copy of the printed abstract book, and registration materials including a canvas tote bag. )
Spouse/Guest Fee US $40.00